Occupational Hazards

Ever heard of SCOOPER's WRIST?

I didn't think so.

Let's flashback to the summer of '95! You walk away from your high school job at the local ice cream shop only to feel a throbbing of your right wrist as you turn the radio knob on your sweet, sweet Chevy Celebrity. Holy Cow! The wrist is swollen like nobody's business! The best thing you can do is go home and ice it and hope it is recovered before tomorrow's mad ice cream rush.

I thought my occupational swelling was finished as I entered the teaching profession, but before I knew it, I was back in the retail world stocking magazines, hulling boxes, and ripping periodicals apart. If only OSHA knew about SCOOPER'S WRIST and now, what I like to refer to as MAG THUMB. My thumb has now taken on a swollen look because I use it at length to organize and hold back magazines as I organize them. After every shift, I feel my right thumb pulsate with pain. I think I need a new technique to adjust and organize the magazines. I was coloring with the crayons today at preschool, and I could feel my grip put a twinge in my thumb. UGH...MAG THUMB!

Again, Tim?

I don't think anyone wakes up and says, "Man, I am going to watch Grumpy Old Men tonight!" But, for whatever reason, that is exactly what I found Tim doing as I returned from work last night. I walked into the apartment and heard the familiar Tim laugh. I walked over to see a familiar, but unappealling movie on the television.

Tim and I continued to have a discussion that seems to repeat itself several times a month.

I asked, "Haven't you seen this movie, like, 100 times?"

Tim replied, "Well...yeah. But not for a very long time, especially unedited."

What this discussion implies is the vast contrast in movie pathologies between Tim and myself. First, Tim can watch a movie over and over and over and over. If it was anything Lord of the Rings related just multiply those overs by 10! His love of Clint Eastwood westerns are equally beloved...by Tim alone. Maybe it is because Tim is more selective than myself. I will watch many movies once. Tim will watch few many times.

If someone were to look at our movie collection, they would see science fiction, westerns, and dumb comedies. Because of this rewatching compulsion, I have refused to buy Tim certain movies for his birthday or Christmas...(true, he could go and buy them himself, but he won't.) If we own it, I will then be forced to at least listen to them from another room. Take Trains, Planes, and Automobiles for example. This movie is so annoying to me, but he LOVES it. He laughs every single time at the exact same parts.

Thank goodness, there are always new and inappropriately funny movies coming out so that both of our movie needs can be met...a new movie for me....sick and toilety humor for him.

Muffin Madness

I am just one of those people who notice life's little incidences.

About 5:30 last night, I decided to bake some lemon blueberry muffins. Sounds good, right? Well, I thought so. I had my kitchen completely clean...the way I like to start any cooking or baking endeavor. I had my music playing in the other room. I had my spiced cider candle burning. It was just the way I like it. Life was peaceful.

The muffin pan had the yellow wrappers all placed in a neat fashion. The batter was complete with the exception of the blueberries. I moved to the sink in case I dripped a little blueberry juice. I took a fork to finish opening the can of blueberries after the can opener did it's work. I must not have realized my strength because I flipped the top of the blueberry can off and it went flying across my clean kitchen. With purple drips all over the floor and counters, I scarcely noticed that my blue cardigan and white shirt was covered with blueberry juice. I went to my room to take off the sweater and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My face was COVERED in blueberry juice. I couldn't help but burst into laughter all by myself. I thought to myself, "These muffins better be good."

I returned to the kitchen to clean up and finish the muffins. I sat down after such 'commotion' to enjoy the messy peacefulness. And they were good.

Making My World

I feel more positive today than I have in a very long time. I think it is probably a number of things. First, I think I have gained some much needed perspective from my Iowa trip. I was able to see friends who I knew I had an important and lasting connection. It really affirmed for me the type of relationships that I have with them. Even though we are very far apart, it can be as fun and thoughtful as it has always been.

Lives go on. That is what I learned from my Iowa trip. People move on and grow on and keep walking forward with just a glance behind them once in awhile. That is what this weekend was.

My friend, Penny, gave me this magnet when I moved. It said, "Wherever you are, it is your friends who make your world..." This was never more true than right now. I would like to think that I make my world. So, that is my goal and wish, to make this world. I think from an outsider's view, it may seem like I have embraced this new surrounding with trips to NYC and constant crepes, but I think I need to dive in.

I have never been concerned about how this move would affect my family relationships because they are family. I can call them everyday and not worry if I am bothering them or misjudging the importance of that relationship. But with friends, it is different.

Next weekend, I will take my sixth and final PRAXIS exam to become licensed to teach in Pennsylvania. Although it is my final test, it is the beginning step to finding a job. This sort of thing really motivates me.

Iowa Revisited

I have returned from my trip to Iowa. It was fantastic from start to finish. First, I love Midwest Airlines. It was my first time flying with this airlines, but the free, warm, like homemade chocolate chip cookies that they serve to their fliers were delicious. They have first class seats throughout the plane including that nice extra leg space. We were running late out of Philadelphia so I had to run to my connection in Milwaukee. Normally, I only run when someone is chasing me, but it would have been terrible if I had missed this connection because it would mean that I was stuck in Milwaukee, and no one wants that. When I got on the plane, all of the other waiting fliers gave me a few dirty looks. I couldn't help it. I wanted to go to Des Moines just as much as the rest of them. But it was nice that they waited just for me.
Bright and early Friday morning, I met my friends Kelli and Jason at a midwestern favorite, The Village Inn. A haunt usually for the retired and the hungry. Waffles were enjoyed by all. This was the beginning of seeing my favorite friends in Iowa. I am an easy laugh, but I tend to laugh a lot with Jason. We talked about school, our lives, and all things in between. Jason gave me a shirt that says 'I Heart Pizza' but the word pizza is an actual picture of a slice of pizza. My friend Ryan is helping me model the sweet t-shirt. Thanks, Jason. I will wear it with pride.

The rest of my Friday in Iowa consisted of hanging with Kecia and Jodi. We drank some margaritas at a time that was close enough to noon and we did some shopping. I have yet to find a proper scrapbooking store in Philly so I loaded up on supplies from one of my two favorite stores, Archivers. We ended up that evening at Kecia's house where she hosted a party for Northwest, my former school. Lots of Northwest friends came to hang out. I was so happy to see people that I knew and they knew me. We stayed up late laughing and talking. Good times.

I'll just give you a bulleted list (my favorite kind of list) of the highlights from the weekend...
- Fountain Soda...a staple for Jodi and me.
- Taking turns sharing our favorite ways to hypothetically beat someone up...I like to hypothetically punch with my middle finger knuckles out and finish with a slap.
- Finding many inappropriate uses for leftover pumpkins and goards.
- Watching Jodi's husband practice his wrestling moves on Jodi.
- Eating Crab Rangoon since it is hard to find out east.
- Laughing so hard that my stomach hurt by the end of the weekend.

Iowa

I am leaving for Iowa tonight. I am thrilled.

So, I will return with lots of pictures and stories to share on Monday. Have a great weekend!

Way Back Wednesday

Shelly and I were like peas and carrots. We had a charmed childhood upbringing on our little street. At every moment of our childhood, there were at least five or more girls our age living in our neighborhood. We would always play with other girls in the neighborhood, but everyone 'knew'...Shelly and Sara are best friends. I would loan Shelly out to her friends Kristi or Kristi. She would loan me out to Kelly down on the other end of the street, but we would always return to each other to play.

Shelly wrote a shoutout to me on her Second Impressions. This is the second shoutout that I have received in blogland. It was quite special. Thanks, Shelly.

A Question

Lately, I have found myself asking this question...

WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?

Do you know the answer?

Ghosts of Halloween Pasts

It is surprising that Halloween is not my favorite holiday with my penchant for costumes, but it just cannot compete with Christmas. Not to say that I have not enjoyed a Halloween costume a time or two. I have worn many that hold fond memories for me...some not so fond.

Raggedy Ann-As ninth graders, it might not have been the coolest costume idea, but my friend Janelle and I thought this would be a cute idea. I sewed two red yarn wigs, one with bows for me and a Raggedy Andy wig for Janelle. We were going to a Halloween party and it only seemed reasonable that we would go dressed as a pair because we were always 'quite a pair'. I think my boyfriend at the time was a nun at the party. Can you imagine that picture?

Clown-Normally, I think clowns are creepy, but I was a cute clown. My mom sewed some great costumes when we were little. She created an angel, Indian, and clown costumes with her sewing machine. I remember my mom drawing big, red circles on my cheeks so I would have a proper clown costume. I wore this costume for more than one year because I really liked it. Plus, I think she made it big enough to fit the required snowsuit for a North Dakota Halloween.

HoBo-I dressed as a residentially challenged person in the fourth grade. Why? I have no idea. I thought it would be fun to dress up in old, beat up clothes. The strange thing is that I was not the only HoBo in the class. I also remember that I got in some serious trouble right before the class party because I wrote a mean note to a girl classmate the way fourth grade girls do.

Greg Downer-Who is Greg Downer, you ask? Well, he was a man on our college campus who was famous for very few showers, lots of keg stands, wearing a Primo Beer shirt, and a pleather jacket straight from some 70's detective show. He was in a fraternity that was famous for throwing water balloons at women as they walked by the house or streaking the campus. We had a similar pleather jacket at the house, so, we thought it would be SOOOOO funny if this was my costume along with the Primo Beer shirt. I went two days dirty so I could get into character. Looking back, it isn't so funny. But still a good memory.

Mental Patient-The traditional high school dance would make most girls want to dress in something cute like a little flapper outfit or cowgirl, but I thought it would be funny if I dressed up like a mental patient and he could be my doctor. That is not normal. I wrapped an ACE bandage around my head and wore a hospital gown with the hospital booties for my feet. I think someone should have said something to me like, "Sara, can't you just be a witch." No one did. But that was also the year that my friend Marisa dressed as a Hugo's cashier when they still wore the polyester neon green and navy blue jumpsuits and her date dressed as the bagboy. So, I wasn't the only "creative" one.

Greatness Revealed

A friend of mine likes to buy GREATEST HITS CDs because it saves you the time and space that multiple CDs take up. I agree with him on many levels. Elton John's Greatest Hits CD that came out a few years ago is a great example of the GREATEST HITS CD. It has all of the familiar Elton songs in a terrific two disc set. The theory of the GREATEST HITS CD is that some people only like the songs that are on the radio and do not want all the B-Side types. The Beatles would be a hard one for me to buy anything other than the GREATEST HITS CDs. I like The Beatles, but I am not a diehard fan like some. It would cost a lot for me to try to collect all of The Beatles CDs.

Even though I love GREATEST HITS complilations, I also like to have all the CDs of certain artists...Sarah McLaughlin, Shawn Colvin, Indigo Girls, Fleetwood Mac, Van Morrison. I like almost every song they sing/write.

So, yesterday, I was preparing the new releases for Tuesday. I love this part of my job. I like to see the new CDs and movies that are coming out. It reminds me of artists that I need in my music collection. Yet, I was disturbed to my musical core yesterday when I pulled out the copies of NSYNC GREATEST HITS.

"What? Didn't they have something like three songs?" I mutter to myself in the back room where there is only myself to answer this rhetorical question.

Seriously, I think there should be a rule. One rule should be that the band/artist has to have at least twelve songs on the GREATEST HITS CD and every single one has to have been GREAT! Yes, GREAT is subjective, but you can use radio play, chart location, or singles sold as an indicator. You can't just throw on a random song from one of the three albums that NSYNC put out and claim it as GREAT just to fill an album.

In the same box, I pulled out Blink 182 GREATEST HITS.

"What? Didn't they have something like three songs?" I mutter to myself in the back room where there is only myself to answer this rhetorical question.

I get that I am not a bigwig at some music house, but give the public a little credit and who are these people that believe there is a HUGE market for a NSYNC GREATEST HITS CD. They should get fired. I understand a Bob Dylan, a Dolly Parton, and EVEN a Journey GREATEST HITS CD, but a Richard Marx, really???? Please.

Nasty Squirrels

Preschool projects require lots of preparation. Creativity seems to be needed for most of the preschool planning as well as the preparation. Yet, today, I was able to take a simple walk around my neighborhood to prepare for tomorrow's lesson. The students will be creating fall wreath collages with a variety of fall items.

I took my paper bag in hand, ipod in my pocket, and puffy vest to keep me cozy and I began my quest for colorful leaves and fall-like objects. Leaves were not a problem. We have so many varieties of trees in my neighborhood that I was able to collect an abundance of hues, yet nuts were the problem. Those greedy little squirrels have left none for the preschoolers. Yes, my negative bias toward the squirrel shows no sympathy for their fall task of gathering nuts for a cold winter. At one point, I had gathered two very large acorns and placed them in my sack. Little did I know, but I was being watched. With a scratch of the bark and a squeek of the squirrel, I was notified that three furry-taled animals were watching me. I can't say for sure, but I believe in my squirrel paranoid mind that they were letting me know that this was their territory and if I knew what was good for me, I'd go and fall hunt somewhere else.

Well, I am not one to mess with squirrels so I did exactly that. I walked in the other direction because the last thing I want today was to be attacked by nut hungry squirrels. Twigs, leaves, and pinecones were the loot I was able to gather. Preschoolers will have to be satisfied with that.

Grown Up Dreams

I am not sure why, but this idea of dreams keeps showing up in my conversations, readings, and thoughts in the past few days. Not the type of dreams that we have deep in a comfortable slumber, but the type where we plan, obsess, daydream, and achieve or, in most cases, abandon in time. The kind that begin somewhere between five-year-old dress up time or t-ball practice, mature throughout high school as we fill out college applications, and either progress into a life’s ambition or smolder out for a variety of reasons.

After thinking about this, I am starting to believe that dreams are a completely different thing than goals. Goals are the sanitized and tidy version of dreams. Goals can be achieved and followed with a step-by-step process. Dreams are a lot messier. Dreams seem to be the more selfish version of goals. Dreams revisit us throughout our lives when we feel that pang of sadness when we see a reminder of the dream that was lost.

I think I have achieved my professional dream of becoming a teacher, yet my dream has been going through a revision process lately with this year off of elementary school teaching. I guess, my new dream is to teach again. But there is more. I am the type of person who might have a dream, but has no idea what it is. All I know is that I want more. Not in a materialistic way, but more living. The only thing is that with dreams come sacrifice. I know about sacrifice, but I sometimes wonder how much I would be willing to sacrifice to achieve a dream. Then, I wonder, what will this dream yield me at the end of my life. Will I say to myself, "Man, I am glad that I gave up ______ so that I could ______". Or, the scarier conversation would be, "Man, I wish I hadn't given up ______ to have _______". I guess a person just has to hope for the best and trust their instincts. The problem is that most people fight their instincts. I know I do.

I know a few people who are perusing their dreams even though their dreams would be easily placed in the impossible or difficult box, but they are not being deterred no matter the struggle or bends in the road. This can be impressive, yet I sometimes wonder what drives these people.

I think I will focus on a personal dream rather than a professional dream right now. I have spent ten years working on the professional dream, I think I would like to have a personal dream come true. I wish I could tell you what that will be, but I don't even know it myself.

Four Year Old Affirmations

My life as a teacher is rarely mentioned in this blog for the simple reason that it has always been a difficult job where a person can keep personal and professional separate. This blog is my personal life. But...there can be exceptions.

There have been definite differences between teaching elementary school and teaching preschool. By fourth grade, students do not hug their teachers, sit in their laps...nor should they! They don't love singing songs in the classroom. They are just a different crowd. I love the fourth grade crowd though. I miss them.

However, there are parts of the preschool crowd that I dig. I like messy paint. I like puzzle making and block building. I love it when a male student loves wearing the bridal dress during playtime. I like the songs that we sing.

Today, I received some long awaited affirmation that I was doing this preschool thing well. A young girl stood in the middle of the room and said in a quiet voice, "Help."

I replied, "I will help you."

It was quiet as I zipped her zipper so she could leave for the day and she said, "Sara?"

I looked up from the zipper and she continued, "Sara, I like you."

I think that is all any of us want to hear on a daily basis.

Nicholas Sparks or Bust

I do not need much of an excuse to take the train into the city, but last night I was on a mission. For the lover of romance books, Nicholas Sparks is Shakespeare. With novels that follow themes like ' Love and Forgiveness', 'Love and Redemption', and 'New Love', many soft-hearted book lovers would make their way to Center City last night for their chance to meet and listen to Nicholas Sparks.

Although I am not a fan of romance novels, my mother adores Nicholas Sparks and waits patiently for each of his new novels to be published. I thought it would be terrific to venture to the Philadelphia Borders store to stand in line and get a book signed for my mother.

We arrived about thirty minute prior to the author speaking about his new book and his writing process. He was wandering around the crowd signing books, taking pictures, and making small talk. The crowd was about 100 people when we arrived. The majority of the crowd were women with piles of books in their arms, staring starry-eyed at the young author. At one point, a middle aged man right behind us told a friend over the phone, "He is very good-looking." I thought this was funny because it was the beginning of many women stating the same thing, but with different adjectives that varied from "hot" to "sexy". He just looked like a guy to me. I think it had something to do with the fact that these women adored this man because of the words he had written.

At one point, this elderly woman with her husband started pushing their way through the crowd. She made it to the front and raised her voice to say, "I just want to get a book signed. I don't want to get killed." I didn't notice any vicious looking women in this crowd or women threatening this old lady. I think she was just being dramatic. It was funny at the time though because people were very well behaved and even though she was the one being rude, she accused the very well behaved people of threatening her life.

Finally, I went through the line to have my one book signed for my mother. I said to Nicholas Sparks, "My mom is a big fan." He said to me, "Oh. You're not?"

Ah. Ah. Ah. Ummm.....

"Well, she really likes your books. She lives in North Dakota so I am here for her."

That seemed to make him feel better. I don't think he needs my affirmation, but if he does, he can go cry in a big bag of money.

Not Much to Say Today

I don't have much to say today. I guess, I want to draw your attention to my sidebar. There is lots to see, understand, and appreciate. First, let's take a look at the links. You have to do a few things to be placed on my links. I have to know you, read your blog, or think you are fantastic. One or all of the three can get you on the links. I have given shout outs to these links before, but today's shout out goes to my childhood friend, Shelly. She writes clever posts on Second Impressions. Maybe I think this because in 75% of the posts, I am a supporting character. Check her out.

Now, let's look at the obsession. Usually, this is music related but this week, it is caffeine related. As most know, I have a severe caffeine addiction that started back in my student teaching days when I was student teaching, taking two classes, and waitressing too. I was up to six Diet Cokes/Coffees in a day. Either will do. So, now, my friend Courtney and I have discovered The Gryphon coffee shop. It is so nice. My favorite dessert is the chocolate cake with cheesecake in the middle.

How about that quote?! I try to place quotes that express my thoughts, feelings, frustrations for the week. Some people think that quotes are a way for people to steal other's words. I think this blog illustrates that I have plenty of words. I just like other's words more.

My Amazon recommendation is a glimpse into what I dig. Right now, it is ABBA. A very guilty pleasure.

Well, have a great day. Tomorrow, I will have more to say.

It is Not Too Early

On Saturday, I walked into Bath and Body Works in the mall. I don't normally stop at this store, but I really enjoy their candles and needed to pick up a few. I am so glad that I did. It was beautiful in all of its commerical splendor. Whoever does their design and marketing earns their paycheck because it felt like December 25...even though it was more than two months away. The store literally sparkled. I still only bought the candle that I had intended on buying, but I spent time just walking around and enjoying the displays.

I will never be one of those people who complain how early Christmas starts. Maybe if I loved Halloween I would care how Christmas seems to steal it's thunder, but I encourage the hostile take over of orange and black by the sweeter green and red.

Christmas in October is lovely because it gets your mind working on all of the things I love about the season. I start thinking about Christmas cards, Christmas baking, everything Christmas. I never want to be accused of wishing time away, but I would like to extend the Christmas season into October and have everyone else embrace that idea. This happening is unlikely since Christmas for some is stressful and painful, yet I love everything about it. I try to hold off on the Christmas music until at least November, but Bath and Body Works did not.

Corduroy

I had this royal blue corduroy jumper dress when I was in the first grade. I wore it with a white turtleneck with color hearts all over it. I wore it in my first grade school picture. I can recall a lavendar pair of corduroy pants with an elastic waistband from my primary years too. I bet if I think back to my favorite outfits age five to twenty-nine, corduroy would be the textile of choice.

I know lots of people associate the season of autumn to ideas like apples, pumpkins, or leaves, but I can't help but think that it is the time of the year that I can break out the corduroy. Am I the only one who adores corduroy?

Let's take stock here...I have two corduroy jackets, a corduroy purse, corduroy pants, a corduroy blanket, and a corduroy shirt. Some fabrics are just comforting. Some are terrible. Because for as much as I love corduroy, I detest several other fabrics. Most people do not think as much about their love and hate for certain fabrics, but I have no choice. Along with fall comes the rekindling love for corduroy, it also makes my skin SUPER, DUPER dry. I am so itchy. I am one dry woman. So, I cannot embrace fleece, anything made of yarn, or flannel of any kind. In order for me to wear a sweater or sweatshirt, I must wear a turtleneck or undershirt. I have definite sensory issues. It can all drive me up the wall...or at least under a corduroy blanket. With all of the fuzzy stuff out there, I can take comfort in corduroy. We all can.

Dream a Little Dream...

Sometimes I wake up from my restful slumber wondering what kind of FREAK I am becoming!!!

I wish I could write my own scripts for my dreams and choose the characters, but somewhere...deep, VERY DEEP...in my subconscious, there is a little man with a typewriter frantically writing the most messed up and bizarre dreams that force me to question my own sanity. All the while, he is laughing because he has an ironic and haunting sense of humor.

If this is not true, then how can one explain the fact that I had a dream about a boy from high school whom I had no social minglings, we were not friends, we were completely ambivalent to each other. He was on the basketball team. He was VERY tall. If memory serves, he had no personality that would leave that type of imprint on me, especially not to dream about twelve years later. And I can say twelve because I think he moved our sophomore or junior year!

This guy's name was Kelly. In the dream, we were at a campfire and he was talking about his religious walk and how he had become 'saved'. I am sitting on a log of some type with my mouth hanging open in shock because I cannot understand why I am with this guy and why this guy who always seemed to be so shallow has now found the Lord. I ask the people around me to explain this to me and they are just disgusted by me to question someone's faith walk. I am the outsider in a big way.

Now, as for dreams, I have several recurring characters in my dreams. I even have recurring scenarios.

My most recurring dream drama is as follows...
I miss work. I have to come up with some lie or excuse why I had missed work. One of the more memorable dreams that followed this drama was when I missed teaching one day only to have my principal find me hanging out at McDonald's. We were sitting in her office and I decided to tell her that I had forgotten to take my medication. In my dream, I completely rationalized this lie because she could not fire me because a mental illness could fall under disability discrimination. She bought it and I was off the hook.

Keep in mind, the boss changes to whoever is my boss at the time. It always has me lying to them and they always believe me.

My recurring characters in my dreams are as follows...
-My Aunt Sandy...she is always in some sort of trouble in my dreams and it is my job to save her.
-Old Boyfriend(s)...we are always reconciling and being friends.
-Churches...I am find myself sitting in them staring at the alter and I have no idea why I am there.
-My old school...This is new one since I have moved. I am usually in the hallway and talking with teachers, never students.
-An old student...This particular student made a big difference in my life. He taught me a lot. I am always his teacher and he is always in some sort of trouble too.

I have this theory that women remember their dreams more than men, but I could be totally wrong. I do have moments as I am coming out my dream where I tell myself to remember 'this one...it is a good one'. By good one, I mean MESSED UP!

Money Talks...or at least Blogs!

Yes, I am 29 years old and I will stick my head in a $50 dollar bill. I think this is worthy of a comment. So, this is a blog call for some affirmation. If you read this today, leave a message. It can anonymous, you can leave your initials, or sign in. I am not ashamed to ask for some sort of confirmation to know who is interested in this little slice of me.

My Quest

I am in the middle of a challenge, if only to myself. I am asking myself the question...

How long can I go without buying groceries?

I usually go about once a week. I usually enjoy my trips to the local grocery store, but since moving here, I have not embraced the local grocery store. Sure, it is nice and clean and somewhat organized, so I have no reason for this challenge except out of pure laziness.

I suppose when I get tired to staring in the pantry wondering what I should make for breakfast/lunch/dinner, I will drive myself to Genuardi's, the grocery store, and pick up a few things.

I think I would be quite successful at this quest if it were not for the essentials...milk, bread, cereal (for Tim). But I have a gift of putting together meals and snacks without really having that much stuff around. For example, if I want some dessert, I can make JELL-O. All you need to make JELL-O is water. I seem to always have JELL-O in the pantry. If I want a snack, we seem to have an unending supply of granola bars. I could always whip up some cookies because I was trained well from my mother to always have chocolate chips and baking ingredients in the pantry. There is always some sort of pasta and sauce in the pantry.

HECK...I can make it at least three more days, but we did run out of milk today.

Not too Blue

I realize this picture is quite dramatic. Trust me, I am not in the depths of despair or feeling as heartbroken as this woman.

I came home from work tonight and I was blue. I just found myself in a bit of a occupational funk.

The details are truly too boring to go into so I will spare you, but know this...I can only tolerate myself for about two hours when I feel this way. I have to find a way to get myself out of this blue stage or I am totally sick of my own self.

There are several things that I have found always make me feel better. First, I cannot listen to my usual self-reflective music choices like Indigo Girls, Iron & Wine, or Simon and Garfunkle. They are just too sad. I need something that will inspire every color but blue! I turned to my itunes. To date, I have 1271 songs to choose from. I threw that bad boy on shuffle and hoped for the best.

My itunes work a bit like a magic eight ball. I sit down, turn up the volume on the computer, and the music starts to shuffle. I skip all the downer songs so you can just forget about James Taylor or Sarah McLaughlin, normal favorites. The following list of songs are a big part of getting my mood out of the dump and into its normal Sara atmosphere...

"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" by Harry Connick, Jr.
"You Should Be Dancing" by The Bee Gees
"Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye
"Beat It" by Michael Jackson
"Linus and Lucy"...yes, the Peanuts Theme...I like it.
"Mamma Mia" by Abba

Music is a funny thing. It can really do a number on you...both positive and negative. When I listen to too much folky, singer/songwriter music, I can get too hyper-self-reflective. So, to balance it out, I need some bubble gum pop from the 70's or 80's.

A Year Goes By...

I was sitting in front of my computer today staring at the blank screen as usual when I decided to go back to October 2004...a year ago. It occured to me how lucky I am to have this blog. Sure, I could have a normal journal where only I would read it, but I love this concept and format. I am able to look back, see the changes, the contrasts of behavior and passions, and reflect on that.

A year ago, my mind focused on several areas. I wrote about most of them, but some were kept more private for disclosure at a later time.

Politics.

I was knee-deep into the election. My goal and purpose during the month of October 2004 was to defeat George W. Bush. Along with my full-time job of teaching elementary school, I could be found walking around my neighborhood, knocking on doors for Moveon.org. I remember a few people at my school knew about this 'hobby' of mine. I had a few people who rolled their eyes, a few people who were ambivilent, and some who were my cheerleaders.

Now, I find myself very removed from politics...almost resigned. I find myself disagreeing with GWB, yet I am doing nothing to ensure the next politician that is elected is someone of character and intelligence. I have gone to the other end of the political continuum...the most I do in the political arena is watch Meet the Press on Sunday mornings. I am sure this will change a few years from now, but for now, I am left in the political hammock.

A year ago, I had no idea that I would be living in Philadelphia. I had a little idea that I might not be teaching this year. I had not idea that I would be working at Borders. I had no idea that I would miss my friends and family this much. I had no idea that I would still be blogging about my life.

A New Philly Love

I fell a little more in love with Philadelphia this weekend. Here is my love story...

When I lived in North Dakota, the local public radio station was the saving grace of music for me. I was never a fan of pop music of my generation so I was drawn to the singer/songwriters found on the public radio. Even better was the program World Cafe. David Dye would host and always have new, at least in my ears, artists doing live versions of their music.

It was on World Cafe where I first heard Patty Griffin, David Gray, and Dar Williams. Now, they are all part of my favorite musicians list. The other day, I was driving and listening to my new favorite public radio station WXPN.org and I heard David Dye's voice, but it wasn't time for World Cafe. He was hosting the top 885 albums of all time countdown that was happening on WXPN. I did a little research and found out that World Cafe is recorded in Philadelphia at the WXPN studios. This didn't really excite me except with further research, I realized that there was a live music venue called Live at the World Cafe. Dinner and drinks are served as you listen to a variety of musicians. This was going to be perfect.

I wanted to find something interesting to do in Philadelphia that included live music when Sara and Scott were visiting because I knew Scott enjoyed concerts. It was so close to one of the larger train stations, the admission was free, food was good, and the music was great. We heard Justin Jones. He had a nice mix of folk/rock/bluegrass and I always have a soft spot for the banjo.

Part of this love story has to do with familiarity, the past, and the future. I am familiar with World Cafe. I am familiar with how to get to World Cafe Live now. I have loved World Cafe in the past. And finally, I will bring friends to World Cafe Live in the future. It is my new favorite Philly adventure.

Eating Our Way Through the Northeast

If I didn't know better, I would say that my friends, Scott and Sara, and I ate our way through Philadelphia on Friday.

It all started when we visited Independence Hall. Who knew that pretzels and independence were ever so connected. We finished our tour and walked back to the visitor center where there just happen to be a PRETZEL OFF! Vendors from around Philadelphia were giving free samples of their pretzels. Pretzels have had a long tradition in this city with the German settlers and where ever you go, there seems to be someone claiming to have the best pretzel. So, I am glad that Scott and Sara were able to enjoy one of many Philadelphia treats.

Of course, we couldn't have a proper Philadelphia outing without stopping at one of the famous Philadelphia Cheesesteak restaurants in town. We chose Jim's Steaks because we were already on South Street where there are many interesting and unique shops. It was a greasy, small place with a black and white art deco design. We waited in line, thankfully, so that we could get our orders just right. Sara and I split a steak with WHIZ...yes, Cheese Whiz. We also tried Birch Beer. This is a soda that is like Root Beer but more of a peppermint flavor. It is also made in Pennsylvania. I thought it was good, but I prefer Beer, heavy on the Root.

Although it was raining off and on, we walked and Walked and WALKED! around the city. We ventured to the famous LOVE statue in Center City and this seemed appropriate since it is Sara and Scott's first wedding anniversary. Of course, we went to Reading Terminal Market to eat crepes. Sara tried something new with the Cheesecake and Berries crepe. This was outstanding. Inside her crepe was one whole piece of cheesecake spread out covered with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries sprinkled with powdered sugar.

That was our Philly Friday.

We drove to Brooklyn early Saturday morning to meet our friend, Amy, at her apartment. We took the subway into Manhattan where we walked around Central Park. Lovely. It was such a beautiful day. We stopped at Strawberry Fields and had a nice view of the city.

I was glad to go to my second Broadway show, The Producers. The humor was quick and smart and high energy. I loved it, but I think everything is terrific. I wouldn't know if it was drool. I had to sit by myself at the show because it was pretty full, but we had great tickets even if they were separated from each other...Scott and Sara together, I was by myself.

The top of the Empire State Building was overwhelming. First, we got to the top after a very long wait. As the sun was setting, we watched from the top of New York City. After, we jumped on the subway and headed back to Brooklyn for dinner at Savoia for some pizza and salad with Amy. It has been a great weekend. I feel like I have a lot to write about this week so I am not blog blocked! New York City can do that to a person, I guess.

SUSHI

I can cross SUSHI off my list of things to try.

Courtney and I went to the local Japanese restaurant named Samauri because it came highly recommended by our clever/moody/smart/crabby boss at Borders. I decided if I am going to try SUSHI that I wasn't going to do any kind of California Roll where they do not use raw fish, but instead, I was going to dive in and do the raw.

We ordered a sampler platter of SUSHI with some tuna, some bass, some salmon, and some crab. It really just felt like something mushy in my mouth with some white rice. It definitely is something that I am glad that I tried, yet I do not have a strong compulsion to try it again. I am glad that I try new things.

PS...I will be entertaining my friends Sara and Scott for the next couple of days. Check back on Sunday.

Things That Bore Me Lately...

- Celebrities. I don't care. It could be that I feel super-saturated with this garbage because I stock countless celebrity loving magazines and seem to see either Nick and Jessica breaking up on the front or I am supposed to care about Angelina Jolie's children. Boring.

- Television. This has never happened to me. There used to be a time in my pre-teen life that I had the television schedule memorized. I was looking forward to a few shows starting this fall, but as it turns out, they completely bore me. I watched Desparate Housewives last fall, but I am quite over it. I think it is the fallout from renting such quality shows like Arrested Development and Six Feet Under. It was bound to happen.

- Fast Food. I used to be a junkie. I liked nothing better than to swing through the Burger King drive through and pick up a junior whopper. Now, I have very few fast food joints around where I live. We have McDonald's and Wendy's. Neither are my favorite. Maybe I had to go through being removed from such garbage, detox, and be free of any kind of craving. Now, when I think of it, I am kind of disgusted by it.

Sara's Visiting

"Do they make Philadelphia Cream Cheese in Philadelphia?"
-My Long Time Friend Sara

I have been very lucky to have so many guests come to Philadelphia. I have only lived here for two months and I have already had five visitors to our home. I guess we are missed. I know that I am missing my friends and family so it makes this transition so much easier.

My friend, Sara, will be visiting this Thursday along with her husband Scott. I am thrilled. I have taken the entire weekend off to spend as much time with them as possible. Sara has been a great friend through this move. She calls me about every other day, if not everyday. She makes it seem like not a week has passed since I saw her last.

We will be doing the Philadelphia Special...my version of Philadelphia, which is quite limited but I am going to do some reading up this week to do even more when they are here. An addition to the Philadelphia Special, we will be going into New York City on Saturday to take in some sights.

See...this is something that is fantastic about living here. I can just go to New York for the day. In the midwest driving two hours for a day trip is nothing, but out here, people tend to think that is a long trip. I will take some pictures and post a few when we return.

Things You May Not Know About the Magazine Section at Your Favorite Bookstore

- Some people come to the bookstore to pile 10-12 magazines in their arms, find a corner of the bookstore, and read for three hours only to leave that large pile for me to put away when they are finished. They didn't actually buy a single thing.

- Just because a magazine is in a plastic cover...yes, the adult magazines...doesn't stop people from ripping them open, shoving them into a sports or woodworking magazine to browse the most recent naked woman or man in the magazine so no one sees what they are looking at. When they are finished, they might stash it in the comics section or cooking for me to find. Then, I have to get rid of it because we can no longer sell it.

- Some women will sit directly in front of what seems to be THOUSANDS!!!! of home decorating magazines to search for inspiration with their decorating decisions. Now, they at least put them back, but never in the right spot. But who can blame them...all of the titles usually have the words "Bathroom", "Decoration", or "Beautiful". One can get very easily confused with so many decorating decisions weighing on one's mind.

- There is a magazine for everyone. A person could surf. A person could dig wine. A person could enjoy guns and ammo. A person could be interested in genealogy. A person could adore opera. There are probably at least three magazines for each of these customers and their interests. And I stock them all!

- Cameron Diaz is on the cover of a lot of magazines.

- The person who is stocking the magazines is very observant.

Normal, PA

I am starting to feel normal. I haven't felt like a normal Sara for a few months now. Here are some signs of normalcy in my new east coast life...keep in mind, what is normal to me may seem bizarre to you, but remember, I have a few quirks.

- Checking my email only four times a day rather than ten to twelve like I have been doing for two months.
- I love when the phone rings, but I am no longer running to the phone to hear some midwestern contact.
- I no longer feel silly or strange calling my friends in Iowa. The reason this was strange was because our relationships took place in the context of school. We never needed to call each other because we saw each other everyday. Now, it is as normal as an after school visit like the old days.
- I am no longer checking airline ticket prices on a daily basis. It is more at an average of twice a week.
- I am going to lunch with a friend, Courtney. Lunch was a favorite activity with my friends in Iowa.
- I am appreciating where I live. I like to walk around my little neighborhood and enjoy the trees and the scenery.
- I am enjoying my job. I loved...LOVED my job in Iowa so I am on an uphill climb to loving my jobs here. Sure, it is like comparing apples to oranges, but I still like Borders and the pre-school. Yesterday, I pushed two boys on the swings for 40 minutes and got paid for it. I enjoyed their conversation about how they are "big boys" now. I questioned them on what makes them "big boys". It was terrific.
- When I think of my favorite restaurants, I now think of Philly restaurants, not Cazador or Panera. I think of Pizzi's Pizza where I can stop on the way to work and enjoy a great cheese steak, extra cheese.
- I still miss my friends. This is normal for me. No matter where I am and how many weeks, months, years have passed, I wish I could have all of them within driving distance. It may not be normal for most, but it is normal for me to adore my friends.
- I still look forward to the next trip to see my parents and Tim's parents.
- I am taking up all the things that I normally do to keep myself sharp...scrapbooking, reading, stamping, scrabble, and music.
- I am feeling happy. Normally, I am a very happy person. I haven't been terribly happy for a few months...I've been faking it. But now, I am feeling happy again. I feel normal...or closer to it.

Someday...

Things I Want To Try/Do/Experience In My Near Lifetime...

Rock Climbing
Sushi
Contacts
Being a Red Head
Own a Convertible
Making a HUGE Holiday Meal
Alaska
Join a Scrabble Club
Take a Great Tropical Vacation
Go to More Concerts

Weekend Update

I had a great weekend.

First, it started out with a relaxing evening at home with Tim on Friday night. There are very few things that I enjoy more than some pizza ordered in, a video, and sitting on the couch with Tim. The only thing that would have made it even better would be a blizzard going on outside...but, I am not in North Dakota anymore.

I picked up Courtney, my new Borders friend, for a day filled with the perfect combination of food, nature, and more food. We stopped for breakfast at a local diner. We made our long planned trip to Target to get the many things that had built up on our lists. Then, we drove over to Valley Forge National Park. The nature trail proved to be a great choice of event for the day. We veered off the paved path for the more adventurous dirt/rock path. With many steep climbs, we stopped for a few breathers only to view deer watching our every move. Each time we'd stop, we'd look into the wood and see at a minimum of three deer staring right back at us. It was beautiful. They were not afraid of us and allowed us to enjoy this snapshot of nature close-up. At one point, a fawn was only four feet away from us!

After such a walk, most would want a Gatorade or water, but coffee was more our style. We stopped at a local coffee shop called the Gryphon. Again, it was perfect. I had cafe au lait and a piece of chocolate cake with cheesecake in the middle...best of both worlds, right? Courtney enjoyed some triple chocolate mousse and coffee. We stopped by the beer store to pick up a local favorite, Yuengling Beer. We thought it would go perfectly with Exploded Chicken Pizza and Buffalo Chicken Pizza that we were going to make back at the apartment so Tim could join our fun.

Now, if you are asking yourself the reasonable question, "What is EXPLODED CHICKEN PIZZA?", well, it is a specialty pizza from a restaurant I used to work at in college. It is pizza, but instead of pizza sauce, we use BBQ sauce with pulled chicken topped with mozzerella cheese. It was very good. Buffalo Pizza is the same, but instead of pizza sauce we used hot wing sauce and IT WAS HOT!!!

We finished the night with throwing some serious tile...Scrabble! I think I won the first game and Courtney defeated me in the second round.

All in all, I had a terrific weekend. I worked a little at Borders today and tomorrow Rhiannon will be coming to visit. It will be a great week too.

Breakfast Love

First of all, I proved yesterday that I can be sustained on breakfast items alone. Satisfied, no. Sustained, yes.

I started out the day with what I like to consider both breakfast and dessert because it is so delicious, Cocoa Pebbles. There is something about this yummy cereal. Is it the chocolate milk that is left when I am done eating the tiny pebbles of chocolate? Is it the way that a perfect ratio of milk to cereal makes for the perfect bite? At any rate, this was my breakfast followed by a Diet Coke...in this case, I am referring to Diet Coke as a breakfast item because I usually like to have one before the ten o'clock hour. When I was teaching, I would crack open that Diet Coke at 7 AM, so I have made improvements.

Thursdays are the one day that I have a small window to grab lunch somewhere between pre-school buildings. Usually, I stop at one of the multiple delis in the area, but yesterday, a co-worker brought in bagels and cream cheese. Perfect. I would not have to stop for a sandwich somewhere. So, breakfast item number three down the hatch.

I was ravenous after pre-school about 4PM so I got home and made a bowl of Fruity Pebbles. Not as delicious as Cocoa Pebbles, but still a fabulous thing. Then, Tim and I had some errands to do after work and we were going to grab some supper, but by the time we returned home, it was time for me to meet my friend Courtney at Starbucks for a coffee treat. So, breakfast item number five, a huge latte with Vanilla flavoring.

And so, I lived on breakfast alone yesterday. I love breakfast food, but I realized that I can't continue this pattern because I have a feeling that there is not much nutritional value in that stoneage treat Cocoa or Fruity Pebbles.

An Invitation

I have been quite lucky to have so many visitors to my new home...Amy, parents, and soon, my friend Rhiannon. My friends Scott and Sara will be spending a long weekend here in October. But for those of you that need a little more convincing, National Geographic Traveler has recognized Philadelphia as a fantastic place to visit. I loved this article because I knew a few of the places they were writing about.

There are so many other places that I want to visit. So, who is coming to Philadelphia to visit us?

Get Down, Girl, Go Ahead, Get Down

I am staring at a blank blogger's screen with nothing to say. This is rare for me, but I have absolutely nothing to say today. I think I will follow Melanie's lead and do a stream of consciousness blog post...so, I have no organized thoughts tonight. Sorry.

-I have lost ten pounds since moving to Philadelphia. I blame this on a few things. I can't be bothered to go to the grocery store because it takes 30 minutes to get there. Although we have many restaurants in our neighborhood, we do not have fast food besides McDonald's and since watching Super Size Me, it doesn't appeal to me. I had kind of forgotten about the first five pounds until I stepped on the scale for the first time in two weeks and I had lost five more pounds. I do walk a lot more than I used to in Iowa. I am not going out to eat with my friends or quick trips to the Dairy Queen after school.

-Today when I stopped by the grocery store on my way home from work, I ran into someone I knew! This is huge. I knew someone. This happened all of the time in Iowa and North Dakota, yet I go places now knowing that I will not know anyone.

-I struggle with seeming needy to my friends and family because I tend to call and email them a lot. If you fit into the friend and family catagory, you can take all that neediness as missing you...that is a good feeling right?

-I really like the Indigo Girls. I think their lyrics are so kind and thoughtful. I just listened to "Collecting You" and "She's Saving Me"...both such great songs.

-On the less sensitive musical side, I am also digging Kayne West's "Gold Digger"...the explicit version, of course. Get down, girl, go ahead, get down.

-I am attempting an east coast hair cut again tomorrow. If you have read this blog for more than a month, you know the tragedy that last haircut turned out to be. Well, I am going to be very direct and clear with the stylist. I won't be needing Tim's stylin' skills.

Well, you stuck with me. That was my stream of consciousness blog. Dig it.

Secret Stealers

One of my Sunday routines is to check out this website that I find both disturbing and fascinating. I may have even mentioned it before but it is called Postsecret. People write and create postcards with a secret and mail it to an address. The secrets range from the absurd to the devastating. I have always thought this was an original project.

On the other end of the creative spectrum, there is this band All-American Rejects. Normally, I do not find myself watching MTV, yet this morning, I was in the middle of one of those trances with the television where it doesn't really matter what is on the screen, just that I am staring at it with my morning tea in hand. Suddenly, I snapped out of it and recognized something in the video that was playing. The All-American Rejects stole the idea from Postsecret to use secrets on post cards during their video "Dirty Little Secret". You can check out the website of both All-American Rejects and Postsecret and compare.

I don't think I would be so annoyed but this is such a pattern for the entertainment industry. There are times I want to boycott the whole kit and caboodle. This is not the first time that art has stolen from art. I remember a few years ago when Madonna got into some heat for using images in her video "Hollywood" from a French photographer.

Bewitched. Dukes of Hazard. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Why can't Hollywood and the entertainment industry come up with something original. Granted, there are gems of originality out there, but I think we, as consumers, have to decide if we value originality and creativity, rather than being spoonfed something that they believe a non-thinking audience will eat.

My Girl Date

Last night I went on a girl date.

What is a girl date, you ask? Exactly what it sounds like. I went to dinner with a girl to see if we have a connection and maybe become lifelong friends, or at least, hang out again.

Courtney works with me at Borders and was a trainee with me. She is new to the area and starting her graduate school career. She gave me a call this week to see if I wanted to go to supper together on Saturday night. First of all, Courtney is terrible cool just for calling someone up who she hardly knows, I dig her risk-taking personality already. Of course, I said yes because I like going out to eat and I am in the market for friends.

She came over to our apartment. Right away, she started giving me some dish from the bookstore and it was another sign that we could be friends because I also like to dish. We intended on going to a Vietnamese restaurant, but we didn't find anything in my neighborhood, so we ate Chinese food. The service was mediocre, the food was below average, but the conversation was outstanding. My girl date was well on its way to being a success!

We walked back to my apartment discussing where to get our hair cut, our shared love of Dairy Queen, and the woes of being a new comer to the Main Line of Philadelphia. We had some dessert and coffee back at my apartment. Like a regular date, there comes a point when you have decide if you want to see this person again, but that was without question not an issue. We made plans to visit the Reading Terminal Market next Saturday for more food adventures.

Tapping with Tootsie

I had my first tap dancing lesson today. As I pulled up to the Berwyn Senior Center, that should have been my first clue that I would be the youngest by decades. I walked into the large room where I would be flapping and ball-changing. I sat next to this woman who eyed my high heeled tap shoes...

"Hey, you have high heels! Have you tapped before?"

I did not want to admit that I was not a novice tapper since I had 10 years of dance lessons when I was a child. Although I wanted to blend in and not be noticed, my high heeled tap shoes gave me attention before I even started tapping. Then, I had two other women looking at me for some type of answer...

"Well, I had some lessons when I was younger."

This response then seemed ridiculous. Then, when it was time to tap, I followed the directions of the instructor. She is terrific. Again, of retirement age, yet she was a Rockette dancer years ago and has fabulous legs and is a fantastic tap dancer. The instructor sniffed out the non-beginner in a quick fashion...

"Um...you have tapped before."

This wasn't a question, but a declaration to the class. Then, when it came time for some down the room exercises ...flap...flap...flap...no one wanted to be my partner. Maybe because I missed last week and they all had their partners, maybe because of my age, maybe because I was revealed as a non-beginner. It didn't matter because I just forced myself with a group already.

During the last half of the class, we were working on a quick routine when I recognized this woman. This was impossible since I do not know anyone in this state. I kept staring at her and realized that she looked exactly like Dustin Hoffman in the movie Tootsie! So, I am tapping with a Rockette, Tootsie, and several other retired people. I love it.

Truthin'

One of my favorite things that people can do is make confessions. These admissions are sometimes masked in a humorous anecdote or story from the past at a bar or late night party, but I think some people are more likely to confess than others. Sometimes people confess and they don’t even know they have done so. And then, there are some that will never reveal the secrets that make them the individual they are.

A declaration of guilt falls somewhere on the revelation continuum…for example, someone could confess to a guilty pleasure obsession of the for the 80’s soft rock band Air Supply.

“Making love out of nothing at all…”

The other end of that continuum of confession divulges past sins that expose a more criminal element to our personalities.

“I used to steal pies from the store I worked at in high school...”

Now, neither of these confessions belong to me, but mine fall somewhere along that continuum of confessions. There is also something about my personality that people just tell me things. From the tawdry to the ridiculous. I love it. I would like nothing better than to air some people’s dirty laundry out here on the blog, but that just wouldn’t be right. So, instead, I will air my dirty laundry.

- I have a soft spot for Dolly Parton.

- As a prank in high school, I used to put peanut butter under the car handles of people’s car with a girlfriend who shall remain nameless.

- I didn’t read an assigned book for any of my English courses in junior high or high school until the 11th grade and that was only because our teacher played the books on tape during class time. I’d like to defend my actions though. I was always reading, but took great bother with the choices of my English teachers…they always seemed like westerns or animal stories.

- I have no idea where our unity candle is from our wedding…I think it is the trunk of my friend, Jill.

- I still have all the mixed tapes from friends from high school and listen to them. They are good mixes. I hope my next car has a tape player.


I just read over my confessions and decided that I can be terribly boring in term of my crimes. I know that I have better confessions than this. But those are reserved for late nights and strict confidences.

I Love Arrested Development

I was never the type of girl who had crushes on television, movie, or music teen idols growing up. I didn't buy BOP or TigerBeat magazines. So, I am not sure how I can explain my new tendency to become a little obsessed with television shows and the people in the television shows.

Right now, I am obsessing over Arrested Development. I had heard about it last fall when so many people were trying to save this show from cancellation. I am not the type of person who can dedicate myself to a television show every week. I catch things in a hit and miss fashion and then, end up missing out on important episodes. So, I just watch the DVDs when they come out.

This show is so funny. I laugh out loud. It is inappropriate and is not politically correct in anyway. Clever and witty. Jason Bateman, some might remember him from the 80's...great then, great now...is the lead character but the show has so many quirky characters. I think I might have a television crush on Jason Bateman. We all should.

Another Philadelphia Weekend

With each visitor to Philadelphia, we get to see more and more. I am not sure what it is about living here, but we haven't gotten around to seeing too much of the tourist stuff until someone comes to see us.

Friday, I was recovering from my birthday flu. Unfortunately, I became very ill on Thursday and was out for about a day and a half, but Tim was a great host to my parents. He took them to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. They also went to my favorite Philly spot, Reading Terminal Market...remember the crepes?! By the time they had returned from the city, I was well on my way to recovery.

Valley Forge National Park became our next adventure. This is a really great place. Not only is it full of American history and artifacts, but it is a beautiful scene. There are several walking and biking paths throughout the park. There are so many deer that one can get incredibly close to watch them. We visited George Washington's quarters when he wintered at Valley Forge. In the photo, Tim and I are at Valley Forge.

Sunday, we went back into the city to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Seen Rocky, the movie? Well, that is the place where he runs up the steps and throws his hands in the air and makes some sort of grunt or sound. We ran up the stairs and yes, we threw our hands up in the air like many around us were doing. It is funny because all of these people come to one of the largest art museums in the country not because of their appreciation for Degas or Renoir, but because they love Rocky. But, we stayed and enjoyed a few of the exhibits. Of course, we also had to take a picture of ourselves doing the best Rocky we could be. Check out my dad!

Be Back Soon.

Check back on Monday...My parents are here to visit and I am being a tour guide.

Happy Birthday to Me

Happy birthday to me.
Happy birthday to me.
Happy birthday to me.
Happy birthday to me.

I could try to write something clever. I could try to write something profound. But today, I am just feeling very 29 years old. I am famous (only to myself) for having very high expectations for my birthday. I want a cake, candles, and a party. I think I will get one of the three essentials...the cake.

Since it is my birthday, I am going to be very self-absorbed...more than my normal blog self.

What does it mean to be 29 years old and Sara? Well, I ask myself that everyday. For five years so much of my identity was wrapped up in a classroom full of children. With all that I miss about that, I know that there is so much more to me than that. I sometimes think the people I have chosen to let into my life see so much more of me and my identity than I see of myself. Does that make sense?

I sometimes strive to make a difference in other peoples' lives...to make a mark, yet I don't always think that I put as much effort into making a mark in my own world. I am not well-read or well-traveled, yet I think I take it all in when I am right in the middle of it. I like to take risks even if I flounder a little through that risk...like right now in my life here in Philly. I am taking the risk. I force myself to see beyond my front door and are glad that I did.

This is a bit contradictory since I claim to be so self-absorbed...but I am more self-involved and reflective than the average 29 year old...I think, or am I just being self-absorbed??????? Paradox. Chicken or the egg.

I'll take my 29th birthday to say thanks for listening to me everyday and caring about what is happening in my little corner of the world. I know many read this blog because the other day, I checked my stats and 78 people had read the blog that day.

Go ahead and leave me a birthday wish!!! It would make me happy.

You've Got to Be Kidding!

It really takes very little to make me happy. Yesterday, I entered my car, put the window down because it was a comfortable 80 degrees. I turned on my CD player because I had just put in a mix of songs from the musical "Wicked" and some other singable tunes. I used to car about singing with the windows down when I lived in North Dakota and Iowa, but I no longer worry about that. No one knows me or will remember that crazy lady who was singing the showtunes.

I was returning home after an afternoon teaching pre-school. Things were pretty good in my world. I was sitting at a traffic light in the left lane when all of the sudden, I saw this man in the right lane roll down his window. I didn't think much of it until I saw that he was sticking his head out of the window.

Was he going to tell me to put a cork in it?

Was he going to ask for directions?

No. He spit all over my windshield. He was a large man who was smoking a big, brown cigar. Middle aged. I was stunned. I was left thinking about the decency of people. Someone asked me if this was an accident. Absolutely not. He spit in the direction of the left lane where the traffic was backed up for quite some time. He just didn't care where his business landed.

Now, how I handled this is the next question. No, I didn't honk or give the 'granny fist' that I am famous for using...I have since retired those antics since moving east for fear of the consequences. Instead, I quickly recovered from my shock at this display of grossness by spraying my windshield wiper fluid as fast as I could so that it could have either landed on this guys care, but even better, in his open window. I can't say either way which one happened, but it left me shaking my head back and forth.

A New Green Me

Jealousy is my new thing. I know it is one of the seven deadly sins and all, but as REO Speedwagon would say, I just can't fight the feeling.

And before you get too concerned about my fraying moral fiber, take this jealousy with a big grain of sodium chloride (salt...I am married to a chemist).

This envy can rear its ugly head at any moment, but it usually blossoms in conversations with friends and family. Even though I get jealous, I am more a sadist when it comes to my jealous tendencies. I love to hear about things from my friends and family and then, I get all jealous. I hear about parties that my friends in the midwest went to and get jealous, but must hear about them. I hear about even meetings that my friends have gone to and I am jealous. I hear about going to my old favorite restaurants in the midwest and become green.

I think most people feel jealousy over materialistic ventures, but not me. They can have it all. I just want some socialization. I want to go to a party. I want to sit on someone's patio with a drink in my hand having a terrific, once in a lifetime conversation where I never want the night to end, a night out with the girls for some margaritas, a long talk (in person) with a close friend. I keep it simple. My jealousy is not the type where I am not happy for people, I just want it too.

I am giving myself permission to be jealous of...
- my friend Steve who is on day eleven of his trip to London.
- my mom who gets to get her hair cut tomorrow by the same woman who has cut her hair for a few years...I would love that.
- my friend Kecia who went to scrapbooking camp where all she did was scrapbook.
- my friend Jodi who owns a Hyvee gift card that she uses strictly for Diet Coke, fountain style.
- my friend Jason who gets to go to meetings and discuss important things. I would love to discuss important things.
- my friend Jeff who is going to help with technology at my old school...super jealous.
- my friend Sara who went out to eat with her in-laws for dinner.
- my husband Tim who goes to lunch with his co-workers.

Forensic Backlash

I am so easily annoyed by the littlest things. The super-saturation of network television with forensic, crime-solving dramas has become the thorn in my backside. Of course, the networks' schedule doesn't affect my daily life, but I can be bothered none the less.

Let's take this one network at a time.

ABC-the network that was the ugly duckling of network television and has turned into what I think is the most risk-taking network with the exception of Wife Swap and According to Jim. They don't have a single crime solving drama in their fall line up.

NBC-the network that is having that feeling that most 13 year olds suffer from when they realize that their long time friend has dumped him/her for the much cooler and hip friends...

Crossing Jordan-Hot coroner who gets herself into danger and solves mysteries at the same time. She likes to say things like, "I think she was murdered."

Law and Order...Regular, SVU, and CI-Talk about milking a cow dry. I used to be a junkie, but I have detoxed.

Medium-She sees dead people...oh, and they help her solve mysteries.

CBS-the biggest offender in this crime-ridden primetime.

CSI...Regular, Miami, and New York-That is a lot of corpses.

NCIS-Do you see a pattern? You have to know your abbreviations to even start to investigate these crimes. CBS would like you to believe that this show is somehow different than CSI, but it is CSI with a military flava'. Long story short...Marines and Navy solve crimes.

Numb3rs-You know how you would never use that Algebra in the real world, well it helps you solve mysteries and crimes in LA.

Without a Trace-The FBI finds missing persons in NYC with a little office romance thrown in for good measure.

FOX-even the independent FOX has fallen into the crime solving business...

Bones-That is the best they could do? Since other shows already have detectives, mathematicians, cororners, and Psychics, FOX had to do them one better...Anthropologists. Now that is hot.

Skol, Vikings!

Although I had several concerns moving out to Philadelphia...finding a job, making friends, getting lost, getting found...Tim had one concern..."How will I watch the Minnesota Vikings every Sunday?". Tim keeps it simple.

I enjoy professional football too, but I can only devote three hours each week to the pasttime, not the entire day from 9 AM to 10 PM. I enjoy watching the Vikings, but do not really care about any other team. My mom cares about the Vikings, but she is concerned equally for the Green Bay Packers because she holds true to that Minnesota standard that a Green Bay Packer loss is as fullfilling as a Minnesota Vikings victory.

So, I got on the computer and made some calls and found a sports bar that will be showing the Vikings game tomorrow. It was like a present that I wrapped up in imaginary purple and gold paper when I told Tim that I had found a place not too far from our apartment. He is so relieved. Go Vikes!

Skol**, Vikings! Let's win this game. Skol, Vikings! Honor your name.
Go get that first down, then get a touchdown,
Rock 'em, sock 'em, fight, fight, fight, fight!
Skol, Vikings! Run out the score; You'll hear us yell for more.
V-I-K-I-N-G-S! Skol, Vikings, let's go!

**Skol is the Norwegian word for a salute or a toast, as to an admired person or group.

Hungry Like the Squirrel

Don't be fooled. He may look cute. He may look harmless, but he seems to me like a vicious rodent that makes my daily walk THE WALK OF FEAR!

There is a long line of irrational hatred for the red squirrel. My grandmother used to hop out of her chair and shuffle to the window when she saw the pesky red squirrel, grab the phone, call my 14-year old cousin from across the road, instruct him to bring his gun because she has another "damn red squirrel". Sure enough, he'd take his best shot with hopes of a kill, but usually just scared the red beast.

My parents go into detail when sharing about the kind gray squirrels that eat the seed they put out in their yard, yet when they start describing the greedy red squirrel and their bully tendencies, they show the acorn doesn't fall too far from the tree with their hatred of the red squirrel.

So, now, I am surrounded by trees that have squirrels poking out of every branch. Not just poking, but scattering...jumping...freezing...staring. I will be on a walk and without warning a squirrel will jump out at me stare and be very, very bothered with me. Sometimes, he will hold onto his acorn and give me a scornful look, like, "Back off." I walked my garbage over to the dumpster and as I threw the bag in, a gray squirrel jumped out and made the worst sound I have ever heard. Their little hands and their little claws disturb me. I am afraid they might mistake me for a tree. They might think I am a threat and attack me as I sit on my favorite park bench after my walk. You never know. If red squirrels can be mean, I have a feeling that the gray squirrel can too. And there are just so many of them in my neighborhood! It is a matter of playing the odds, I think.

Travel Vouchers Bug

The most annoying thing to me at this very moment are my free travel vouchers. I had never accepted free travel vouchers before, but accepted a bump in June because, hey, what doesn't sound good about free travel vouchers, right? Well, I didn't discover until tonight that they only reserve so many free tickets for flights. For example, we want to travel to North Dakota for Thanksgiving and we were unable to book a free flight because they didn't have any left. I wonder how many there were to start with? Then, we thought we'd try to schedule flights to Memphis for Christmas. Nope. Spoiled again.

I can understand and appreciate how we are trying to use these vouchers for the busiest travel time of the year, so I tried booking a flight to Des Moines at the beginning of November. Nope. They wanted to me to fly out Friday at noon and leave on Sunday at 6AM...that is not nearly enough time in Des Moines. So, we are left with vouchers that can be free...if you have somewhere to go where no one else wants to go and no one else has a voucher.

Target Adventure

I know it might not be a big deal for everyone, but going to Target yesterday was huge. It was so familiar and so known. I have not been to my favorite discount store in over four weeks. These big kind of stores just don't exist in my neighborhood and up until this point in my life, I have always been just minutes away from every kind of product a girl could want to buy at a Target.

So, with this trip to Target, I also went on the interstate by myself for the first time since living here. I know that sounds strange since I have driven many, many interstates, but I haven't needed to go on the interstate until yesterday. People have told us horror stories about the interstates and how backed up they get around our area so I was a little nervous, but hey, I didn't have anywhere to go except Target. They were fine. They were completely normal. I am sure like any area, they have their moments. But yesterday was not one of them.

After Awhile

After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't mean security,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises

And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open,

With the grace of a woman,
Not the grief of a child

And you learn to build all your roads on today,
Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After awhile you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you get too much

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
In stead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers

And you learn that you really can endure...
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth,
and you learn and learn...
With every good bye you learn.

-Veronica Shoffstall

**I used to really like this poem in college. I sometimes wonder how these types of things change their meaning after a few years and a few experiences under our belts.

Music Love

I am in a downloading frenzy!! I am downloading music like crazy! Every type of music that I have ever LOVED...Ever.

1984-"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor-My brother Sean owned this 45 and we listened to it all of the time when we were hanging out in our basement. We'd alternate this record with "Its Only Rock and Roll To Me" by Billy Joel and "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler and then play some floor hockey!

1986-"Sugar, Sugar" by the Archies-My childhood friend had an outstanding oldies collection and this was our favorite. We'd get down in the basement as we played school or Barbies.

1989-"Look Away" by Chicago-I am sure I danced in my junior high lunchroom with some boy. Nothing says teenage puppy love like slow songs and the fry line. It is such a pop-dramatic song. It is a terrifically guilty pleasure.

1990-"Goodnight, My Someone" sung by Shirley Jones. I saw The Music Man on television for the first time. I fell in love with Shirley Jones and the music! I never got tired of watching it. I think I was the only person who ever rented it at our local video store.

1992-"The River" by Garth Brooks-I know I have stated my disdain for country music, but Garth holds a special place for me. I really liked him back then. I had, like, three tapes! (Still do). I downloaded several other Garth songs, but this one is funny because my high school health teacher used to play it for us about once a week. I think we were supposed to feel inspired to exercise and abstain.

1994-"Star Wars Disco"-My friend Janelle and I tapped danced a routine at a recital to this underloved disco classic. Nostalgia at its best. Now that I am taking a tap class again, maybe I will break this routine out for guests. KIDDING!

1995-"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Gladys Knight and the Pips-This was the year that I began my love affair with Motown women and their songs. Now, that I think about it, I believe that this song should be added to my karaoke set. Awesome. I don't want to say it is better than Marvin Gaye's but it is my favorite version.

1997-"Bittersweet" by Big Head Todd and the Monsters-If I heard it once in the halls of my sorority house, I heard it 1,000 times. I didn't need to own the CD because it was always being played somewhere in the house.

2003-"Bridge Over Troubled Water" sung by Clay Aiken-I had a bit of an unhealthy obsession with Mr. Aiken that spring. I was mildly addicted to American Idol and took great offense and questioned people's character if they liked Ruben more then Clay.

2004-"You Can't Stop the Beat" Hairspray, the Musical-This is my first and only musical that I saw in New York when I went to visit. It was hard to stay in my chair during the musical numbers. This one is especially is a tune where I want to get up and shake it and shimmy!

2005-"Heat of the Moment" by Asia-After seeing "40 Year-Old Virgin", I had to rush home and get this sweet one. It is so pop-terrific in the car. It is one that needs to be played loud, often, and sung to in your best 80's pop star voice...don't be afraid to pump your fist...but only at red lights to get the proper effect from you audience (the car to your right).

The list could go on and on.

Movie Trailers...A Small Pleasure of Life

Just when you think the Internet has nothing else to offer you, it offers you one more great way to waste your time...or one more great way to enjoy this life!!!

So, if you go to Apple.com (Go Apple!), you can watch movie trailers. Sometimes movie trailers are just as great as a bad movie because you get to see something new, but you are left wanting more. So, I have compiled the movie trailers that have left me wanting more for you...to want more too. Check 'em out.

Elizabethtown

-I have a girl crush on Kirsten Dunst and a bit of a boy crush on Orlando Bloom...AND! AND! Paula from Paula's Home Cooking from the Food Network is in it. I love her accent. It is so very southern.

Jarhead

-I can tell already that this one looks difficult to watch but something that I should watch.

Shopgirl

-I read this book about two years ago and I think I will have to reread it before I see this. I love Steve Martin when he is funny and I love him serious. I have no idea what this is supposed to be. I want to say romantic comedy, but I never see romantic comedies, but this is the second on the list...what is happening to me?!

That is it for now, but I will let you know if I see more...

A Slight Rant

I know I have ranted in the past about how I despise "people" that post stupid advertisements/spams on my comments, but BLOGGER is trying to stay on top of it. Now, in order to post a comment on this blog, you'll have to type in some letters...this doesn't do anything except verify that you are an actual person and not just some computer that is programmed that goes from blog to blog and post spam advertisements. So, post away!

Spidey

Today, I my task was simple...cook a delicious meal for my dinner guests, Alli and Paul. Paul is my cousin who lives only 45 minutes away from me. My second task, clean my apartment from top to bottom. I keep a pretty tidy apartment as it is, but I wanted to do some heavy-duty cleaning. Little did I know that my heavy-duty cleaning would disrupt the living quarters of the largest, biggest, most ferocious spider I had ever seen in any of my actual homes.

Being from North Dakota, we don't grow our arachnids large. We think if they are about the size of a dime, that is big...but this spider was a little bigger than a quarter. Its legs were thick too, no visible hair, which is good. When I stumbled upon this spider, I was by myself and I yelled, "Oh My God!", froze, abandoned my first instinct to grab my digital camera because I feared my new eight-legged friend would disappear only to reappear crawling across my body as I sleep, and grabbed Tim's big brown shoe and smashed it. Its guts went everywhere...it was a juicy one.

I did not clean it up until Tim arrived five minutes later because I was like a dog...I wanted some praise for my kill. I am disturbed by the fact that such a large spider was living among us, but like GWB says, I will stay the course. I will keep up on my cleaning in order to head off any spider dwellings.

Pretzel Nirvana

I cannot believe how cheap it is to eat out here. I am not talking about the type of restrauant that you have a waiter/waitress, but the quick pizza and cafes in our neighborhood. In my neighboorhood alone, there are at least four cheap pizza places where you can go and get a slice for under two bucks. Today, I picked Tim up from work and we went to the Main Line Pretzel Factory. I thought it would be like one of those places like in the mall, but there wasn't a table in the joint. Just a counter, some pretzels, and a lady who sells them. We bought three awesome pretzels for $1.50! They were the perfect pretzel with soft insides and slightly tough outside. We bought the pretzels, two cups of cheese, and one pop and our total was $3.75!

I have also come to know that the money we save on cheap places to eat we spend on other things on the east coast. groceries themselves are a lot more expensive. For example, I used to get all of our sandwich meat from the deli for about $5-6 a pound in Iowa. Now, it is about $8-10 a pound.

The pretzel really made my day.

Mr. President, Tell it like it is, Please.

I don't understand why President Bush talks down to America?

When he is asked a direct question, he vague and dumbs down the answer. He thinks we will be fine with a cliche line like "Help is on the way" when asked a direct question about why it is taking so long? That is not what Diane Sawyer asked, President!!!

You have to watch this interview. Maybe my tendency to be disgruntled with the man is clouding my objectivity in this interview, but for Pete's sake, President...quit smiling and laughing...your people are dying and sick and you need to be honest with them.

GWB Good Morning America Interview